About

Meryl Rinelli, MS, LMHC

Meryl Rinelli, MS, LMHC, is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor of New York State and is the Clinical Director of Peace of Mind Mental Health Counseling, P.C., with offices located in Hauppauge, NY and Mount Sinai, NY.

Meryl obtained her Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from St. Joseph’s College (currently known as St. Joseph’s University), Patchogue, NY in 1996. Upon graduating, she went on to obtain a Master’s Degree in Mental Health Counseling, under the Department of Education, from Long Island University, C.W. Post Campus - Brookville, NY in 1998. During the course of her education, she gained internship experience with Intensive Out-patient substance abuse programs, as well as out-patient eating disorder treatment programs, supervised by specialized leaders in the field.

Meryl has been specializing in the treatment of eating disorder, anxiety and depression for over 25 years, as well as utilizing her experience with substance abuse counseling. Supervising staff and assisting in the completion of field internships has been a part of her practice as well. In addition, Meryl has volunteered her time with NEDA-LI and is a former board member.

Currently, Meryl provides individual, group, family and couples/marital therapy, in addition to facilitating psycho-educational parent/family support groups and meditation groups. In addition to specializing in the treatment of eating disorders, Meryl provides therapy addressing issues such as depression, anxiety, stress management, trauma, obsessive-compulsive behaviors, etc. Psychodynamic and cognitive behavioral approaches are used to assist the client in understanding the process and creating changes for a healthier life.

Experience

Helping clients
since 1998.

Meryl Rinelli, MS, LMHC is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor specializing in the treatment of eating disorders since 1998. She has training and experience with addictions counseling as well. Meryl has a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from St. Joseph’s College, NY and a Master’s Degree in Mental Health Counseling from Long Island University - CW Post, NY. She has also supervised interning staff members, assisting in the completion of field internship.

Meryl has participated in Health & Wellness Fairs, educational speaking engagements at public schools, as well as volunteered her time with NEDA-LI (National Eating Disorder Association - Long Island) events.

Affiliations

American Counseling Association
American Mental Health Counselors Association
National Eating Disorder Association
National Eating Disorder Association - Long Island (former Board Member)
New York Mental Health Counselors Association
Western Suffolk Counselors Association

Stephanie Biren, MS, LCAT

Stephanie Biren, MS, LCAT is a Licensed Creative Arts Therapist specializing in psychotherapy and art therapy for the treatment of eating disorders, depression and anxiety. She obtained her Bachelor’s degree in Studio Art from the State University of New York at Plattsburgh in 2009. After graduation, she spent a year fighting poverty and cultivating her passion for social justice as an AmeriCorps member in Buffalo, NY. Stephanie then spent several years gaining experience as a therapeutic arts educator working with at-risk youth, refugees and elderly adults for many organizations including Free Arts NYC and the Alzheimer’s Association of Colorado.

Stephanie went on to obtain her master’s degree in art therapy from Nazareth College in Rochester, NY. Her experience in treating eating disorders began in 2015 as an intern for the partial hospital program at The Healing Connection in Rochester, NY. She continued working with this organization upon completion of graduate school as she was hired as a therapist to conduct group, individual and family therapy sessions. During this time, Stephanie also provided art therapy sessions to eating disorder patients at Strong Memorial Hospital in Rochester, NY.

Stephanie currently works with adolescents and adults who are struggling with eating disorders, depression, anxiety, trauma and grief as well as individuals who have low self-esteem, body image disturbances and self-harm behaviors. She uses a strength-based and relational lens in treatment while also incorporating mindfulness and cognitive behavioral approaches.

As a Licensed Creative Arts Therapist, Stephanie offers art therapy in addition to traditional talk therapy methods. Through the art therapy process, clients may find effective ways to communicate their inner experience when language is challenging to access. No artistic ability is required as clients engage in the creative process to explore personal meaning, gain insight into emotions and behaviors, build self-esteem and learn new ways to cope with difficult feelings.